Where the John Lewis advert stars are now – from Hollywood films to Call the Midwife
CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and John Lewis’ heart-warming adverts have become a staple of the festive season.
TV fans are introduced to brand new stars ahead of Christmas each year. But what are they up to once the holiday cheer dissipates?
The Long Wait (2011)
The Long Wait advert back in 2011 told the story of a little boy – played by Lewis McGowan – excitedly waiting for Christmas so he could give his parents the gift he bought for them.
The advert was particularly memorable for the music – a cover of The Smiths’ Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.
Since then the young lad has had roles in multiple TV shows, including Doctor Who, The Alienist and Houdini and Doyle.
His biggest role was appearing alongside Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017.
Lewis, from Hamilton, near Glasgow, was chosen from 250 children to star in the advert, and was just seven years old at the time.
Unexpected Guest (2021)
In 2021, Jordan Nash took centre stage as a young boy named Nathan.
After seeing an unexpected object fall from the sky while on the bus.
After running off after it into the forest, he comes across a spaceship and an alien named Skye, played by Rafiella Chapman.
Skye and Nathan bond over all things Christmas after she is left enthralled by his Xmas jumper and twinkly lights.
These days, both Jordan and Rafiella have gone on to carve out rather impressive careers.
Rafielle played Claire Densmore in Hollywood hit Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
Appearances in His Dark Materials and Homebound soon followed.
While Jordan managed to land himself a spot in the acclaimed BBC drama Call the Midwife as Terry.
The Man On The Moon (2015)
Who could forget the adorable plot of the 2015 John Lewis advert, which centred around a little girl – played by Orli Star Knill-Goldstein – who spots a lonely older gentleman living on the moon.
The campaign was designed to raise awareness around isolation and loneliness at Christmas, and rocketed the then-six year old to fame.
She also starred in Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children and went on to star in TV mini series Vanity Fair in 2018.
Monty the Penguin (2014)
John Lewis’ tale of Monty the Penguin captured the nation’s hearts in 2014.
The advert followed the close friendship of Monty and a young boy, who decides to find a female penguin for his pal at Christmas.
Schoolboy Rhys Edwards played the lead role of Sam, and the young actor, from Hertfordshire, went on to make an appearance in a Christmas special of Call The Midwife.
The Beginner (2022)
Last year’s advert pulled on the heart strings as it held a clear message.
The advert was produced by Action for Children and Who Cares Scotland in order to reflect the reality of Christmas time for children in care.
At the centre was a young girl named Ellie played by Brooke Hart.
Despite it only having been a year since she became the face of British Christmas TV, she has already appeared with the National Theatre in a production of Love.
The young actress has already secured a variety of film roles off the back of her advert success.